A Woman in Vegetable, by Ronnie Hess

Description

The Clearing

I. Luna Moth

A Luna moth hangs by its teeth or feet
on the screen outside my cabin window.
Funny, there’s been no moon
and it’s broad daylight.
I’ve never seen a Luna month.
This one is a fairy queen,
head of alabaster, lacewing crown,
mantle of jade with the eyes of asps,
a dancer’s body, toes suspended in air.
Will she linger tonight when
I turn on the cottage lamps?
Will she pound and flutter at the door?
II. Early Morning Ramble
Crow in the morning.
Maybe a red-eyed vireo, too.
There are wet feet
in the wet grass
and a lady in nightgown
is reading a book.
A bee is already working the flowers.
There is the smell
of fresh coffee in the air.
Last night’s Luna moth
is gone.